Full title: PFAS removal from water using a novel adsorbent: Performance studies and comparison with various commercial adsorbents and ion exchange materials
BSc/MSc internship/thesis
u003cstrongu003eProject description:u003c/strongu003ernrnPer- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have attracted significant interest due to their widespread occurrence in water bodies and their toxicity to humans. Adsorption and ion exchange are considered as effective treatment methods for meeting the stringent environmental and health standards related to PFAS. While various adsorbents and ion exchange resins demonstrate promising performance, there are several challenges that need to be addressed before large-scale implementation, including the use of organic solvents during regeneration, low adsorption selectivity towards other background organic contaminants, limiting the available adsorption sites.rnrnRecently, u003ca href=u0022https://www.wur.nl/en/persons/han-zuilhof.htmu0022u003ethe Zuilhof groupu003c/au003e of the Laboratory of Organic Chemistry of Wageningen University (WUR) developed u003ca href=u0022https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/anie.202403474u0022u003ean adsorbentu003c/au003e with high and specific affinity for PFAS. The adsorbent showed a high affinity for PFOA and PFOS and can be regenerated more than ten times. We would like to further test the performance of this adsorbent by performing tests to study its performance (kinetics, real-life [PFAS] reduction in dependence of the technology used, scope of captured PFAS, regenerability) and compare these with other adsorbents such as activated carbon and ion exchange materials such as anion exchange resins.rnrnThis project is part of the thesis project of a PhD student of WUR and Wetsus, u003ca href=u0022https://www.wetsus.nl/app/uploads/2024/03/integr-PFAS-treatm-JGoed24-web.pdfu0022u003eJesse Goedu003c/au003e.
u003cstrongu003eProfile:u003c/strongu003ernu003culu003ern tu003cliu003eBackground in Environmental/Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or equivalent.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eGreat interest in environmental issues.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eInquisitive mind-set and team-oriented approach to resultsu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eFluent in English and good English writing skills.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eEstablished hands-on laboratory and instrument analytical experience would be a plus.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eCurrently studying in the Netherlands or has citizenship from an EU country.u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernu0026nbsp;rnrnu003cstrongu003eBenefits:u003c/strongu003ernu003culu003ern tu003cliu003eCollaborative interaction within a dynamic, multidisciplinary and multinationals research team between Wetsus and Wageningen University.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eContribute to solutions that are crucial to our society, namely to remove contaminants from water.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eThe allowance for students is €200. The student can apply for ‘Wetsus Grant’ allowance (€200 extra; an internal committee decides if the allowance will be granted*).u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eStudents can apply for Erasmus grant; (if the Erasmus grant is less than €400, the student can apply for the Wetsus Grant).u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernu003cemu003e*The Wetsus Grant allowance is not guaranteed and must be approved by the Grant Committee.u003c/emu003e
How to apply: Please upload your CV (max. 2 A4 pages), motivation letter (max. 1 A4 page) and a list of the attended courses and the equivalent ECTS via the application form provided (in English). Feel free to contact Amanda Larasati (amanda.larasati@wetsus.nl) if you have further questions or need more information.
Performance studies and comparison with various commercial adsorbents and ion exchange materials